Xi Follows Up on South Korea's State Visit Invitation
Chinese Leader 'Frustrated' With South Korea's Western Ties
Overt Operator
September 25, 2023
SEOUL, South Korea — In an effort to strengthen bilateral ties, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol previously extended an invitation for Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Seoul,an invitation that Xi is "seriously considering," U.S. federal broadcast service Voice of America reported on Saturday, September 23.
Yoon reportedly invited Xi to meet in South Korea in November 2022, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 Summit in Bali, Indoneisa. This invitation came as the two nations marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. President Yoon expressed his belief that a visit by President Xi would serve as a crucial opportunity to open a new chapter in Seoul-Beijing relations over the next 30 years.
The Chinese news outlet South China Morning Post has since reported that Xi has told South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo that China and South Korea should unify supply chains.
Analysts consider that Xi extends the effort at a time when he grows increasingly "frustrated" with U.S. South Korea, and Japan's trilateral ties.
Chinese state-media CCTV was quoted by the U.S. federal broadcast service Voice of America explaining that China puts "great importance" on a willing cooperation with South Korea. China now calls on South Korea to meet their delegation "halfway."
The invitation for President Xi's visit and the discussions between the South Korean and Chinese leaders highlight the effort to deepen cooperation and strengthen relations amid a complex geopolitical landscape.